Trichinella spiralis

Trich·i·nel·la spi·ra·lis

the pork or trichina worm, a species of parasites that cause trichinosis, found in most regions of the world but more frequently in the Northern Hemisphere; transmission occurs as a result of ingesting raw or inadequately cooked meat (especially pork but now often associated with game animals such as bear or walrus) that contains encysted larvae that develop into adults that survive in the jejunum and ileum for approximately 6 weeks; the female worm is viviparous, and bears approximately 1500 embryonic larvae that are laid deep in the mucosa so that they are picked up in the submucosal capillaries and are transported via the liver to the heart, lungs, and systemic circulation; eventually the larvae break out of the body capillaries, penetrate a muscle fiber, coil, and encyst, thereby inducing the strong sensitization, pain, fever, edema, and eosinophilic reaction characteristic of trichinosis.

Trichinella spiralis

Parasitology A globally distributed nematode that causes trichinosis, which is found in carnivore and omnivore muscle after ingestion of larvae in undercooked meat–especially bear and pig meats Morphology 1.5 mm, thinner in the front; the anus is subterminal. See Trichinosis.

Trich·i·nel·la spi·ra·lis

(trik'i-nel'ă spī-rā'lis)

The pork or trichina worm, a species of parasites that cause trichinosis, found in most regions of the world but more frequently in the Northern Hemisphere; transmission occurs as a result of ingesting raw or inadequately cooked meat (especially pork but now often associated with game animals such as bear or walrus) that contains encysted larvae that develop into adults that survive in the jejunum and ileum for approximately 6 weeks; the female worm is viviparous, and bears approximately 1500 embryonic larvae that are laid deep in the mucosa so that they are picked up in the submucosal capillaries and are transported via the liver to the heart, lungs, and systemic circulation; eventually the larvae break out of the body capillaries, penetrate a muscle fiber, coil, and encyst, thereby inducing the strong sensitization, pain, fever, edema, and eosinophilic reaction characteristic of trichinosis.

TRICHINELLA SPIRALIS: Encysted in muscle tissue (×800)

TRICHINELLA SPIRALIS

Trichinella spiralis

The species of Trichinella that commonly infests humans, causing trichinosis. Infection occurs when raw or improperly cooked meat, particularly pork and wild game, containing cysts is eaten. Larvae excyst in the duodenum and invade the mucosa of the small intestine, becoming adults in 5 to 7 days. After fertilization, each female deposits 1000 to 2000 larvae, which enter the blood or lymph vessels and circulate to various parts of the body where they encyst, esp. in striated muscle.

Trich·i·nel·la spi·ra·lis

(trik'i-nel'ă spī-rā'lis)

The pork or trichina worm, a species of parasites that cause trichinosis, found in most regions of the world but more frequently in the Northern Hemisphere; transmission occurs as a result of ingesting raw or inadequately cooked meat (especially pork but now often associated with game animals such as bear or walrus).

In another example of how traditional farming comes with its own infectious disease risks, Smith says infection with Trichinella spiralis (the source of the dangerous foodborne human disease trichinosis) is much rarer in CAFO-raised swine than in pigs raised outdoors, which are more likely to eat a diet of swill and the occasional rat or wild animal carcass.

Pathogens can also pass from animal reservoir to humans when people consume or handle contaminated animals or animal products as is the case with the consumption of pork contaminated with the worm Trichinella spiralis.

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